Took it easy today. We had a bit of a swim, took a bicycle tour
around the city and generally chilled out.
One of Melbourne's many trams.
The hook turn - or 'how to turn right by turning left'.
This special little road dance is performed (as far as I know)
only in Melbourne.
"To turn right at busy junctions in the city centre requires
what is known as a 'hook turn', which is indicated by the "right
turn from left only" sign. This is how to do a hook turn - stay
in the left lane, then when the light is green, proceed into the middle
of the intersection and stop. Indicate that you are turning right.
When the lights on the street go red, and the lights on the street
you are turning into turn green, you have the right of way and may
then proceed into the left lane of the street you are turning into.
The cars waiting to go straight on the street you are turning into
then follows you. Confusing? Well, yes, it confuses me (and a lot
of non-Victorians) too. :-) The reason this is necessary is because,
in the city centre, cars are not allowed to travel on the tramlines,
and before hook turns were introduced, cars would turn right and a
tram would slam straight into the car, with disastrous consequences
for all concerned. "
The quote was taken from this guy's website.
Still confused? This website's
animation shows how it all works.
Luckily I didn't have to turn right whilst I was in Melbourne (strange,
but the truth!)
To tomorrow
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